more than two clownfish?

[ponokareefer]

Are you talking different kinds, or multiple clowns of the same species?

If it is the same species, add them all at the same time, and you'll be fine. If you are adding some in after the fact, add smaller ones, and try to re-aquascape some.

If it is of different species, it is more difficult. It can be done but you have to do a lot of things:
-try to add them at the same time. If not, then and try to re-aquascape some.
-have a long enough tank, minimum 4 feet. The larger the tank, the more likely you are to succeed. What size of tank are you attempting it with?
-get less aggressive species, such as percs, false percs, skunks. If you try Tomatoes or Cinnamon's, you are going to have a very difficult time.
-cross your fingers, and be prepared to get some out if the aggression will not stop.

[Brightwhite]

I have a 20g with one misbar perc and one semi-picasso. I wanted to add either a semi-snowflake or just a reg true perc.

[fishoholic]

I would say your tank is way to small for multiple clowns. What ponokareefer wrote is what I usually find to be true. The bigger the tank you have the better it will be for multiple clowns and the more peacefull clowns do better with one another then the more aggressive ones and it helps when you add them all at the same time.

I tried a black and white clown with my percs in my 230g tank and they never got along, the black and white always picked on the percs even though they hosted at opposite ends of the tank. However I have skunks and percs in there now and they all get along. But 230g is a lot bigger then 20g and I think if my tank was smaller they might not get along.

[ponokareefer]

As fishoholic wrote, 20 gallons is too small to try this with. You're likely to see a lot of fins go missing in a short period, or one jump out.

[gobytron]

I think that if you initially added them all at once, you might manage...
Especially with captive bred clowns.

You still might if you remove the current residents, re aquascape completely and then add all 3 simultaneously.

Clowns are funny as once the dominant female becomes mature, it's really up to her which males are worth keeping around and which should be chased away.

IME, the actual species has less to do with this than the actual mating preferences of the big momma.


It's worth a try, just be ready to deal witha dead fish or return the clown to the lfs or another reefer if he gets rejected.